GT's going to hell in a handbasket

[Subnuts]

Is it just me, or has General Topics gotten really nasty the last few days? Granted, it's never been the place for unbiased, level-headed debate. But I've never seen so much outright bile being spewed, so much casual bigotry and misogyny being thrown around, so much arrogant political grandstanding, as I've seen this last week. I've been visiting this site since I bought the original Silent Hunter back in 1999, and I've never seen these forums, or perhaps just that one particular sub-forum, get that nasty. I still remember the affairs with Kraut and CastleBravo and his sock-puppets, but it never got this out of hand.

Something in the water, perhaps?

[Castout]

I haven't been reading all the threads. But what few I read are fine.

Subsim has one of the more polite conduct I've ever seen on the internet. People here respect one another. A troll would have to adapt or be rolled over and grilled.

[CCIP]

I mostly agree with Subnuts actually. I don't think it's gone to hell and MOST threads are fine, but there's some that sadly stick out like sore thumbs in all the wrong ways. I've been (and am) on vacation, but even from my quick once-every-few-days browses this is painfully obvious.

IMO some of the extremist views and bad attitudes there have no place on a civil forum like this and should be cleared on sight. I don't care whether that's censorship, I care far more that it doesn't get in the way of civil, reasonable, and good-spirited gaming, historical exploration and community sharing that Subsim is really all about. Some of us have enough trouble justifying our WWII U-boat hobbies as non-political and good-spirited to people outside the community. Allowing these kinds of views to be repeated so often and in such a terrible spirit in the open is really not helping our image

I know I'm a mod but I have no say in GT matters so, I'm speaking purely as your average joe member here.

[Sailor Steve]

I don't see it at all. I've been posting pretty much every day since 2002, and to me it's cyclic. There have been many times in the past when it was every bit as bad as it is now. We just tend to forget. This will pass like it always does, and a year from now someone will ask this same question.

[CCIP]

Oh it's totally cyclic. And I don't think this is in any way a permanent 'going to hell'. But it doesn't make it okay for these cycles to get so extreme sometimes.

That said, it's also good not to over-react to these things. It's just nice to see rules enforced - and just like you often call attention to inappropriate language, I think it's more than fair to call attention to poor behaviour and extreme ideology. The latter is no less against site rules and is arguably a lot more damaging to our community. It's great that the community here is strong enough to shrug it off and continue being great, but we needn't ignore it.

[Jimbuna]

'Peaks and Troughs' I call it...and we are currently in a 'Trough' but overall GT is what I personally would expect it to be.

Sensible governance as always is ongoing in the background I can assure you.

[Sailor Steve]

Originally Posted by CCIP

It's just nice to see rules enforced - and just like you often call attention to inappropriate language, I think it's more than fair to call attention to poor behaviour and extreme ideology. The latter is no less against site rules and is arguably a lot more damaging to our community. It's great that the community here is strong enough to shrug it off and continue being great, but we needn't ignore it.

I completely agree, and have never said otherwise. I'm a stickler for all rules. I was just responding to the idea that it's worse now than it was in the past. It happens, and needs to be dealt with, and then for a while it doesn't happen.

[mookiemookie]

I agree with the cyclical point of view. Those with the most extremist point of view rarely stick around long. This too shall pass.

[nikimcbee]

Just wait til october 2012.

[Jimbuna]

Originally Posted by nikimcbee

Just wait til october 2012.

Is that when your released on bail?

[Sailor Steve]

[Herr-Berbunch]

I know what you mean Subnuts, I've only been here a little over a year and there is definately more personal axes being ground. But it seems to me to be the same old names cropping up and doing said grinding. Treat them like naughty children and just ignore them - but unfortunately that may mean missing out on something more worthwhile.

The speed in which the 'Norway' thread turned nasty is very disappointing in particular. There was no need for it at all. At least they haven't (yet) struck in Feuer Frei!'s emotive thread!

On with the four-word-cat-boot-picture thread, what GT is all about

[danasan]

Originally Posted by Herr-Berbunch

I know what you mean Subnuts,

snip....

At least they haven't (yet) struck in Feuer Frei!'s emotive thread!

On with the four-word-cat-boot-picture thread, what GT is all about

It luckily seems as if there is a spark of social competence and tact in everybody

[Herr-Berbunch]

Originally Posted by danasan

It luckily seems as if there is a spark of social competence and tact in everybody

Yes, just not enough to spread to other threads.

[Onkel Neal]

Originally Posted by jimbuna

'Peaks and Troughs' I call it...and we are currently in a 'Trough' but overall GT is what I personally would expect it to be.

Sensible governance as always is ongoing in the background I can assure you.

This, and we have accumulated a few posters who seem to live for controversy. I'm sure there's a psych term for it. Basically, they are looking to exhibit a power online that they do not possess in normal life. I know, most people will do this occasionally, certainly me included. It's similar to venting, which can good when not taken to extremes and allowed to become a daily ritual. But right now there's a small core of disruptive posters who are gearing up for this daily. Gets old, and there is a solution:

DO NOT REPLY OR QUOTE ANYTHING THEY SAY.

Simple Can you do it?